The Spurs (19-4) needed some time to warm up Saturday in Utah. Once they did, it was no contest as they blew out to a double-digit lead midway through second quarter and cruised. The Jazz (6-20), bringing up the rear in the Western Conference, never got closer than nine over the final 30 minutes. It was the Spurs’ fourth victory in five nights, kicking off a four-game road swing that continues Monday against the Clippers.

Player of the game

Said Tim Duncan after Saturday’s victory, “I sucked so bad the first 20 games or so, it wasn’t hard to play better.” Actually, Tim, you only sucked for in the first 10 games. But as well as you’ve played lately, who’s counting? The dean of NBA post play continued his recent surge with 22 points and 12 rebounds, his fourth double-double over the past six games after recording just one in the first 15.

The turning point

Believe it or not, the Jazz had actually played somewhat respectably in recent weeks, including a victory in Denver on Friday. And for about 13 minutes at EnergySolutions Arena, a victory over the Spurs wasn’t utterly out of the question. At least not until a 21-6 run that put the Spurs in control for good. Six different players scored during the surge, including three successive 3s from Matt Bonner and Danny Green.